One energy source that could serve as an option for devices which are expected to run continuously for years is nuclear batteries. Also called betavoltaics, nuclear batteries run by harvesting electrons from the natural decay of radioactive sources. The nuclear battery made by Widetronix can supposedly last up to 25 years because of its ability to withstand radioactive damage. The company has developed a silicon carbide semiconductor technology that comes in the form of a small chip. CEO Jonathan Greene says, "It is our professional opinion that the higher the efficiency, the lower the device cost, [and the] smaller the unit volume."

Current prototype of the device can merely generate nanowatts of power, and is far from being a source of energy for gadgets. Widetronix is planning to stack several chips together that results in a batter able to generate 1 microwatt of power. According to LiveScience, the stack of chips will be able to power small devices, and the company is looking to develop one that could be used for devices implanted on the human body for physicians to be able to monitor their patients. While Widetronix plans its first commercial release by 2011, the company continues its search for nuclear isotopes that could provide more power for its batteries in the future.